In the movie, Milland plays Dr. Maxwell Kirshner, a dying, wealthy racist who demands that his head be transplanted onto a healthy body. As his health rapidly deteriorates, there remains only one alternative: graft Kirshner's head onto the body of a black death row inmate, Jack Moss, played by Grier. Things will never be the same for Kirshner...

Michael Viner, the head of MGM's soundtrack division, recorded the track Bongo Rock for a chase scene in the movie. When sampled by Kool Herc four years later, it became one of the most important tracks in the foundation of breakbeats and hip hop.